Lens and prism combination for directing light toward a projector lens

ABSTRACT

A combination comprises at least one lens and at least one prism. The at least one lens and the at least one prism are in an optical path of a corresponding at least one light source. The combination is configured to direct light radiating from the at least one light source toward a projector lens.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 63/076,784, filed on Sep. 10, 2020, the disclosureof which is incorporated by reference herein it its entirely.

FIELD

The present technology relates to lighting control technologies. inparticular, various lens and prism combinations for directing lighttoward a projector lens are disclosed.

BACKGROUND

An innovative device projecting a two-dimensional (2D) pixel matrix, inwhich each “pixel” of the 2D matrix consists of an infrared (IR) digitaldata stream, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,628,198, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein. Since the 2D pixel matrix isprojected upon, for example, members of an audience in a stadium, it ispossible to transmit different data to different locations in thestadium, so the data received in a particular location can be madespecific to a pixel projected to that location. Since each IR digitaldata stream may be location dependent, various IR digital data streamscan be programmed to be unique in content, so that each pixel may begiven, if desired, unique instructions, particular to that pixel orstadium location. Receivers of this IR digital data stream, being wornby members of the audience, are thus provided with unique instructions,commands, or data, which may be made dependent upon which pixel, orphysical location, they occupy. A movement of a receiver from one pixellocation to another automatically changes that receiver's data stream tothat transmitted to the new location. The IR digital data stream, ifprogrammed to illuminate the receiver according to color and intensityinformation, can turn the receivers into a real time, moving light show.The technology described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,628,198 is thus capable oftransforming the audience into a 2D video screen.

Even though the recent developments identified above may providebenefits, improvements are still desirable. In particular, empty spaces,or voids, may be present between the various pixels projected on theaudience, potentially leaving some of the members of the audience unableto receive the IR digital data stream. Manufacturing costs of thetechnology may also be a cause for concern. Also, the potential of thetechnology may not have been fully exploited for other applications.

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not beassumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in thebackground section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the backgroundsection or associated with the subject matter of the background sectionshould not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the priorart. The subject matter in the background section merely representsdifferent approaches.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present technology have been developed based ondevelopers' appreciation of shortcomings associated with the prior art.

In particular, such shortcomings may comprise the presence of voidsbetween the various pixels, manufacturing costs related to the priortechnology, and/or lack of use of the full potential of the priortechnology.

In a first aspect, various implementations of the present technologyprovide a combination, comprising:

-   -   at least one lens; and    -   at least one prism;    -   the at least one lens and the at least one prism being in an        optical path of a corresponding at least one light source, the        combination being configured to direct light radiating from the        at least one light source toward a projector lens.

In some implementations of the present technology, the at least onelight source comprises an array of light sources; and the combination isconfigured to direct light radiating from the array of light sourcestoward the projector lens.

In some implementations of the present technology, the at least one lensis a Fresnel lens and the at least one prism is a Fresnel prism.

In some implementations of the present technology, the at least one lenshas a positive focus.

In some implementations of the present technology, the combinationshapes the light radiating from the at least one light source as acone-shaped light radiation pattern directed toward the projector lens.

In some implementations of the present technology, the combination ispositioned at a given distance from the at least one light source; and afocussing distance of the at least one lens is determined at least inpart according to the given distance.

In some implementations of the present technology, an orientation of theat least one prism is determined at least in part to correct a bendingangle of the light radiating from the at least one light source.

In some implementations of the present technology, the at least one lensand the at least one prism are formed as a single piece.

In some implementations of the present technology, the projector lens isselected from a fixed lens, a parfocal lens and a varifocal lens.

In some implementations of the present technology, the light radiatingfrom the at least one light source forms an image pixel.

In some implementations of the present technology, the image pixelcontains infrared light carrying a digital data stream.

In some implementations of the present technology, the at least one lenscomprises a plurality of lenses; the at least one prism comprises aplurality of prisms; and the combination comprises a plurality of pixelforming sub-combinations, each pixel forming sub-combination comprisingone of the plurality of lenses and a corresponding one of the pluralityof prisms, each pixel forming sub-combination being configured to directlight radiating from a corresponding set of one or more light sourcestoward the projector lens.

In some implementations of the present technology, at least some of theplurality of pixel forming sub-combinations are formed into a singleoptical sheet.

In some implementations of the present technology, the single opticalsheet is a plastic sheet.

In some implementations of the present technology, the plurality oflenses and the plurality of prisms are on a same side of the singleoptical sheet.

In some implementations of the present technology, the plurality oflenses is on a first side of the single optical sheet and the pluralityof prisms on is a second side of the single optical sheet, the secondside being opposite from the first side.

In some implementations of the present technology, each of the pluralityof pixel forming sub-combinations has specific optical propertiesdetermined at least in part according to a specific distance and aspecific angle between the corresponding set of one or more lightsources and the projector lens.

In some implementations of the present technology, a focussing distanceof a given pixel forming sub-combination is determined at least in partaccording to a distance between the given pixel forming sub-combinationand the corresponding set of one or more light sources.

In some implementations of the present technology, the sets of one ormore light sources corresponding to the plurality of pixel formingsub-combinations are distributed over a first two-dimensional area on amounting support; the plurality of pixel forming sub-combinations isdistributed over a second two-dimensional area of the combination; andthe specific optical properties of a given pixel forming sub-combinationare determined at least in part according to a distance, an angle and anangle of rotation between the given pixel forming sub-combination andthe corresponding set of one or more light sources.

In some implementations of the present technology, a first angle ofdeflection of a first pixel forming sub-combination located on anexternal edge of the second-two dimensional area is greater than asecond angle of deflection of a second pixel forming sub-combinationlocated closer to a center of the second two-dimensional area of thecombination.

In some implementations of the present technology, the plurality ofsub-combinations is distributed over a two-dimensional (2D) array.

In some implementations of the present technology, the 2D array forms arectangular matrix.

In some implementations of the present technology, the light radiatingfrom each corresponding set of one or more light sources forms an imagepixel.

In some implementations of the present technology, each image pixelcontains infrared light carrying a corresponding digital data stream.

In a second aspect, various implementations of the present technologyprovide a device, comprising:

-   -   an enclosure having:    -   a rear opening adapted to receive a light beam from a light        source,    -   a front opening adapted to emit a modified light beam, and    -   internal walls extending between the rear opening and the front        opening;    -   the light beam being modified according to a perimeter of the        front opening.

In some implementations of the present technology, the perimeter of thefront opening forms a rectangle.

In some implementations of the present technology, an internal perimeterof the enclosure is rectangular.

In some implementations of the present technology, the front opening ofthe enclosure is a plane of focus for the device.

In some implementations of the present technology, the device furthercomprises a reflective material covering the internal walls of theenclosure.

In some implementations of the present technology, the internal walls ofthe enclosure are made of a reflective material.

In some implementations of the present technology, the enclosure furthercomprises a rear reflector plate, the rear opening being formed as acut-out in the rear reflector plate, a face of the rear reflector plateon the inside of the enclosure being covered with a reflective material.

In some implementations of the present technology, the enclosure furthercomprises a rear reflector plate, the rear opening being formed as acut-out in the rear reflector plate, the rear reflector plate being madeof a reflective material.

In some implementations of the present technology, a size of the cut-outin the rear reflector plate is selected to allow most of the light beamfrom the light source to enter the enclosure.

In some implementations of the present technology, the reflectivematerial is a textured reflective material.

In some implementations of the present technology, the rear opening iscentrally positioned in an internal perimeter of the enclosure.

In some implementations of the present technology, the device furthercomprises a Fresnel lens positioned in front of the enclosure so toreceive the modified light beam from the front opening of the enclosure,a plane of focus of the device being located in front of the Fresnellens.

In some implementations of the present technology, the device is adaptedto be positioned at a distance from the light source so to leave an airgap between the light source and the device.

In some implementations of the present technology, the device furthercomprises at least one shade formed of a light absorbing material, theat least one shade being adapted to attenuate light emitted from thedevice outside of a main direction of the modified light beam.

In some implementations of the present technology, the light beam fromthe light source is an infrared light beam carrying a digital datastream; and the device is configured to maintain integrity of thedigital data stream in the modified light beam.

In a third aspect, various implementations of the present technologyprovide a combination, comprising:

-   -   the above described device and the light source;    -   a printed circuit board for mounting the light source; and    -   a reflective material covering a surface of the printed circuit        board surrounding the light source.

In a fourth aspect, various implementations of the present technologyprovide a light shaping assembly, comprising a two-dimensional (2D)array formed of a plurality of devices as defined above, each one of theplurality of devices being adapted to receive a light beam from acorresponding light source.

In some implementations of the present technology, each device of the 2Darray is adapted to emit a corresponding light pixel.

In some implementations of the present technology, each light pixelcarries a respective digital data stream.

In some implementations of the present technology, the light shapingassembly further comprises a light absorbing hood positioned in front ofthe plurality of devices and surrounding a 2D array formed by themodified light beams emitted by the plurality of devices, the lightabsorbing hood being adapted to attenuate light emitted from the lightshaping assembly outside of a main direction of the modified lightbeams.

In some implementations of the present technology, the 2D array forms arectangular matrix.

In some implementations of the present technology, the light shapingassembly further comprises a Fresnel lens positioned in front of thefront openings of the devices of the 2D array.

In a fifth aspect, various implementations of the present technologyprovide a method for transmitting control instructions to a plurality ofreceivers, the method comprising:

-   -   modulating a plurality of light sources to generate a plurality        of corresponding light beams, each light source being modulated        with a corresponding digital data stream for inducing        corresponding control instructions in the corresponding light        beam;    -   applying each of the plurality of light beams to a corresponding        pixel shaper element of a pixel shaper assembly to produce a        plurality of light pixels, each light pixel carrying the control        instructions of the corresponding light beam, each light pixel        having a perimeter defined by the corresponding pixel shaper        element, the pixel shaper assembly combining the plurality of        light pixels into an image without significant overlap and        without significant voids between the light pixels; and    -   the plurality of light pixels being directed toward a projector        lens, the projector lens transmitting the plurality of light        pixels toward the plurality of receivers.

In some implementations of the present technology, the light sourcesform a first two-dimensional (2D) array; the plurality of light beamsform a second 2D array; and the plurality of image pixels form a third2D array.

In some implementations of the present technology, each of the first,second and third 2D arrays forms a respective rectangular matrix.

In some implementations of the present technology, each light source isan infrared light source.

In some implementations of the present technology, the method furthercomprises replacing each of the plurality of infrared light sources witha temporary light source operable to emit visible light; causing thetemporary light sources to emit a plurality of visible light pixels toallow previewing a visible image formed combining the plurality ofvisible light pixels; and after the previewing the visible image,restoring the plurality of infrared light sources.

In some implementations of the present technology, each light source isoperable to emit visible light and infrared light, the method furthercomprising causing the plurality of light sources to emit a plurality ofvisible light pixels to allow previewing a visible image formedcombining the plurality of visible light pixels.

In some implementations of the present technology, each light source isa light emitting diode (LED).

In some implementations of the present technology, each light pixel isdirected toward one or more receivers.

In some implementations of the present technology, at least one of theone or more receivers is a movable receiver adapted to move betweenreception areas of distinct light pixels.

In some implementations of the present technology, at the least one ofthe one or more receivers is operable to interpret positionalinformation received in the distinct light pixels.

In some implementations of the present technology, at least one of theone or more receivers includes a user operable switch configured toallow selection of one of a plurality of supported functions.

In some implementations of the present technology, the controlinstructions transmitted in each light pixel are configured to control,in each of the one or more receivers, a function selected from operatinga lighting element, operating a sound element, operating a Bluetoothcommunication unit, operating a WiFi communication unit, and acombination thereof.

In a sixth aspect, various implementations of the present technologyprovide a receiver adapted to receive a light pixel carrying controlinstructions transmitted using the above-described method, the receivercomprising:

-   -   a power source;    -   an optical receiver receiving power from the power source and        being adapted to detect the light pixel; and    -   a controller receiving power from the power source and being        operatively connected to the optical receiver, the controller        being configured to:        -   decode the control instructions received in the detected            light pixel, and        -   use the control instructions to control a function of the            receiver selected from operating a lighting element,            operating a sound element, operating a Bluetooth            communication unit, operating a WiFi communication unit, and            a combination thereof.

In some implementations of the present technology, the power sourcecomprises a battery.

In some implementations of the present technology, the sound elementcomprises a speaker.

In some implementations of the present technology, the sound elementcomprises an electrical jack output.

In some implementations of the present technology, the receiver isfitted with one or more attachments to allow attaching the receiver to abody part or to a piece of clothing of a wearer.

In some implementations of the present technology, the controllercomprises a processor and a non-transitory storage medium containinginstructions that, when executed by the processor, allow the controllerto interpret and use the control instructions.

In some implementations of the present technology, the receiver furthercomprises at least one user controllable switch or button allowing auser to select one of a range of functions related to the controlinstructions.

In a seventh aspect, various implementations of the present technologyprovide a light shaping assembly, comprising:

-   -   a printed circuit board (PCB); and    -   a two-dimensional (2D) array formed of a plurality of rows, each        row comprising a plurality of light sources mounted on the PCB,        each light source comprising a pair of supporting pins for        mounting the light source on the PCB;    -   the supporting pins of each light source being bent at an angle        increasing as a function of a distance between each light source        and a selected point on the PCB so that light beams emitted by        the light sources are collectively directed toward a common        target.

In some implementations of the present technology, the selected point onthe PCB is a center of the PCB.

In some implementations of the present technology, the common target isa projector lens.

In some implementations of the present technology, the light sources arelight emitting diodes (LED).

In some implementations of the present technology, each LED is in a T-1¾package.

In some implementations of the present technology, each light source isheld above a top surface of the PCB by its pair of supporting pins.

In some implementations of the present technology, the supporting pinsare solder leads; and the light sources are soldered on the PCB.

In some implementations of the present technology, a number of rows ofthe 2D array is equal to a number of light sources in each row.

In some implementations of the present technology, a number of rows ofthe 2D array is not equal to a number of light sources in each row.

In some implementations of the present technology, each light beam has arespective beam width; an intensity of each light beam is at its maximumat a center of the respective beam width; and the supporting pins ofeach light sources are bent so that the center of each respective beamwidth is directed toward the common target.

In some implementations of the present technology, the 2D array forms arectangular matrix.

In some implementations of the present technology, each light source isadapted to emit a corresponding light pixel.

In some implementations of the present technology, each respective lightsource is connectable to a source of a respective digital data stream;and each respective light pixel emitted by the respective light sourcecarries the respective digital data stream.

In an eight aspect, various implementations of the present technologyprovide a light shaping assembly, comprising:

-   -   a printed circuit board (PCB);    -   a two-dimensional (2D) array formed of a plurality of rows, each        row comprising a plurality of light sources mounted on the PCB;        and    -   a Fresnel lens adapted to redirect a light beam emitted by each        light source at an angle increasing as a function of a distance        between each light source and a selected point on the PCB so        that the light beams emitted by the light sources are        collectively directed toward a common target.

In some implementations of the present technology, the selected point onthe PCB is a center of the PCB.

In some implementations of the present technology, the common target isa projector lens.

In some implementations of the present technology, the light sources arelight emitting diodes (LED).

In some implementations of the present technology, each LED is in a T-1¾package; and each LED is mounted straight up on the PCB.

In some implementations of the present technology, each LED is a surfacemount LED.

In some implementations of the present technology, a number of rows ofthe 2D array is equal to a number of light sources in each row.

In some implementations of the present technology, a number of rows ofthe 2D array is not equal to a number of light sources in each row.

In some implementations of the present technology, each light beam has arespective beam width; an intensity of each light beam is at its maximumat a center of the respective beam width; and the supporting pins ofeach light sources are bent so that the center of each respective beamwidth is directed toward the common target.

In some implementations of the present technology, the 2D array forms arectangular matrix.

In some implementations of the present technology, each light source isadapted to emit a corresponding light pixel.

In some implementations of the present technology, each respective lightsource is connectable to a source of a respective digital data stream;and each respective light pixel emitted by the respective light sourcecarries the respective digital data stream.

In the context of the present specification, unless expressly providedotherwise, a computer system may refer, but is not limited to, an“electronic device”, an “operation system”, a “system”, a“computer-based system”, a “controller unit”, a “monitoring device”, a“control device” and/or any combination thereof appropriate to therelevant task at hand.

In the context of the present specification, unless expressly providedotherwise, the expression “computer-readable medium” and “memory” areintended to include media of any nature and kind whatsoever,non-limiting examples of which include RAM, ROM, disks (CD-ROMs, DVDs,floppy disks, hard disk drives, etc.), USB keys, flash memory cards,solid state-drives, and tape drives. Still in the context of the presentspecification, “a” computer-readable medium and “the” computer-readablemedium should not be construed as being the same computer-readablemedium. To the contrary, and whenever appropriate, “a” computer-readablemedium and “the” computer-readable medium may also be construed as afirst computer-readable medium and a second computer-readable medium.

In the context of the present specification, unless expressly providedotherwise, the words “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. have been used asadjectives only for the purpose of allowing for distinction between thenouns that they modify from one another, and not for the purpose ofdescribing any particular relationship between those nouns.

Implementations of the present technology each have at least one of theabove-mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have allof them. It should be understood that some aspects of the presenttechnology that have resulted from attempting to attain theabove-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfyother objects not specifically recited herein.

Additional and/or alternative features, aspects and advantages ofimplementations of the present technology will become apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as otheraspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, where:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a wireless signal processor with theenhancement of a Zoom lens in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology;

FIG. 2 shows a typical pixel spacing for various zoom lens settings inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 3A shows a printed circuit board layout used to improve infraredlight efficiency in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 3B shows an expanded view of the printed circuit board layout ofFIG. 3A in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 4 shows an infrared LED orientation for improved infrared lightefficiency in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 5 shows the use of a lens/prism combination to increase infraredlight efficiency for surface mounted LEDs in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 6 shows useful properties of the lens/prism combination inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 7 shows a geometry of the light infrared beams relative to theprojector lens in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show how the lens/prism combination of FIG. 7 may besimplified for ease of manufacturing in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present technology;

FIG. 9A shows a non-ideal pixel pattern and shape;

FIG. 9B shows an ideal pixel pattern and shape in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 10 shows useful shapes to generate the ideal pixel pattern of FIG.9B in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 11 shows a beam shaper for producing the ideal pixel pattern ofFIG. 9B in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 12 shows details of a method for full coverage of a pixel area inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 13 shows an optical shade installed to reduce optical noise andflare in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 14 shows the use of a Fresnel lens to increase infrared intensityin accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a receiver module with light, sound, andRF wireless capabilities in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 16 shows a typical block diagram of a receiver module in accordancewith an embodiment of the present technology;

FIGS. 17A and 17B show two variants of a reflector plate design for apixel shaper in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 18 shows a pixel shaper combined with a Fresnel lens in accordancewith an embodiment of the present technology; and

FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing operations of a method fortransmitting control instructions to a plurality of receivers inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

It should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specifiedherein, the drawings are not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The examples and conditional language recited herein are principallyintended to aid the reader in understanding the principles of thepresent technology and not to limit its scope to such specificallyrecited examples and conditions. It will be appreciated that thoseskilled in the art may devise various arrangements that, although notexplicitly described or shown herein, nonetheless embody the principlesof the present technology.

Furthermore, as an aid to understanding, the following description maydescribe relatively simplified implementations of the presenttechnology. As persons skilled in the art would understand, variousimplementations of the present technology may be of a greatercomplexity.

In some cases, what are believed to be helpful examples of modificationsto the present technology may also be set forth. This is done merely asan aid to understanding, and, again, not to define the scope or setforth the bounds of the present technology. These modifications are notan exhaustive list, and a person skilled in the art may make othermodifications while nonetheless remaining within the scope of thepresent technology. Further, where no examples of modifications havebeen set forth, it should not be interpreted that no modifications arepossible and/or that what is described is the sole manner ofimplementing that element of the present technology.

Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, andimplementations of the present technology, as well as specific examplesthereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functionalequivalents thereof, whether they are currently known or developed inthe future. Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilledin the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views ofillustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the presenttechnology. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flowcharts, flowdiagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo-code, and the like representvarious processes that may be substantially represented innon-transitory computer-readable media and so executed by a computer orprocessor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitlyshown.

The functions of the various elements shown in the figures, includingany functional block labeled as a “processor”, may be provided throughthe use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executingsoftware in association with appropriate software. When provided by aprocessor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicatedprocessor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individualprocessors, some of which may be shared. In some embodiments of thepresent technology, the processor may be a general-purpose processor,such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a processor dedicated to aspecific purpose, such as a digital signal processor (DSP). Moreover,explicit use of the term a “processor” should not be construed to referexclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and mayimplicitly include, without limitation, application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read-only memory(ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non-volatilestorage. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also beincluded.

Software modules, or simply modules which are implied to be software,may be represented herein as any combination of flowchart elements orother elements indicating performance of process operations and/ortextual description. Such modules may be executed by hardware that isexpressly or implicitly shown. Moreover, it should be understood thatmodule may include for example, but without being limitative, computerprogram logic, computer program instructions, software, stack, firmware,hardware circuitry or a combination thereof which provides the requiredcapabilities.

In an aspect of the present technology, the innovation described in U.S.Pat. No. 8,628,198 is enhanced with new features and capabilities,including for example and without limitation the capability to providesound, WiFi connections, and Bluetooth connections in a digital datastream contained in a light pixel, or image pixel. The presenttechnology also presents improvements such as a brighter and moreefficient use of light emission, comprising for example and withoutlimitation infrared (IR) emission, a production friendly lightingsystem, and an improved pixel pattern. A two-dimensional (2D) array ofpixels, for example and without limitation a rectangular pixel matrix,contains a digital data stream in transmitted image pixel. The 2D arrayof pixels may have any size from a single pixel to an array of pixelshaving ‘m’ rows and ‘n’ columns, in which values for ‘m’ and for ‘n’have no a priori limitation.

In the context of the present technology, each light pixel or imagepixel may be sized according to a conventional definition of the term“pixel”. Alternatively, each light pixel or image pixel may cover abroader area of a scene on which it is projected. In a non-limitingexample, a size of the light pixels in the 2D array of pixels may beselected so that each pixel will reach a distinct member of theaudience. In another non-limiting example, the size of the light pixelsin the 2D array of pixels may be selected so that each pixel will reacha small group of members of the audience.

In some embodiments of the present technology, a light pixel may carry adigital data stream and, as a result, the term “pixel” may beinterpreted in a manner that departs from its conventional definition.

In another aspect of the present technology, the array of pixels is madeboth more efficient in brightness, and is more precisely located througha more precise boundary definition for each element of the 2D array ofpixels. The optional use of a varifocal or “zoom” (parfocal) typeprojector lens may provide additional versatility in the deployment ofthe lighting system. The transmitted data may for example be expanded tocontain sound data in addition to the previous multicolor lights. In anembodiment, receivers worn by members of an audience in a target spacemay be equipped with sound output devices, such as audio speakers and/orearphone jacks, and with volume controls. Optionally, WiFi, Bluetooth,and other supplementary connection technologies may be used to enhancethe overall performance capabilities of the lighting system. Several newembodiments of projectors and receivers having improved performance aredescribed herein.

The location and size of each light element, also called image pixel orsimply pixel, of the 2D array of pixels may be planned and determinedbefore the actual emission of digital data streams. Consequently, thetransmitted data may be used by each receiver to locate its own positionwithin an illumination pattern formed by the 2D array of pixels. Assuch, the receiver “knows” its position within the 2D array of pixels,thus knowing its physical location as well. The receiver may make use ofits precise location data, for navigation, mapping, movement logging,and so forth, in a variety of user software applications. Also, byincluding a “where are you” flag in the transmitted pixel, the receivermay ping back its location, or use that location data for other usessuch as for communication or video games. If the lighting system isdeployed upon a playing field, such as in a laser tag studio, any numberof new features becomes available to the game programmer.

The transmitted data may also contain sound data, so that each pixel ofthe 2D array of pixels may carry its own sound channel. In this manner,every pixel in the 2D array of pixels may form a separate sound channel.In a non-limiting example, a 128×256 matrix may be equivalent to a32,768-channel surround sound system. The surround sound effect of anentire orchestra may thus be formed such that each instrument appears tobe located at its correct spatial location. Each member of the audiencemay thus hear the sound as if they were actual performers in theorchestra.

Some non-limiting examples presented hereinbelow will specifically referto the use of IR light. IR being invisible, it becomes possible totransmit digital data streams without altering the visual perception ofthe audience. However, the present technology is not so limited andtransmitting digital data streams in pixels containing visible light isalso contemplated.

With these fundamentals in place, we will now consider some non-limitingexamples to illustrate various implementations of aspects of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 1 shows an IR light emitting diode (LED) matrix being part of alighting system. The IR LED matrix is usable to project an image onto anaudience. FIG. 2 shows a pulsed IR projected image displayed on anaudience of people wearing reactive circuits. FIG. 1 modifies atechnique introduced in U.S. Pat. No. 8,628,198, to reflect the newinnovations of the present technology. FIG. 1 shows an array of IR LEDs12, the LEDs 12 being mounted on a flat printed circuit board (PCB) 11.The LEDs 12 project their IR emissions using a projector lens 13, whichmay be a varifocal length or a “zoom” lens having zoom and focusingcapabilities. Use of a conventional lens without zoom capabilities isalso contemplated. The use of the projector lens 13 with zoom andfocussing capabilities allows the distance of the projector lens 13 tobe a fixed distance from a plane of focus 15 of the projector lens 13 atthe front of the array of LEDs 12. This allows the projector to have afixed configuration while adjusting variously sized targets anddistances. Thus, a projected image 14, aimed at target receivers, suchas members of an audience in stadium stands, as shown on FIG. 2, may beadjusted for size and placement as desired, without modifications to theprojector design and construction.

FIG. 2 shows three projected pixels 23, which are pixels 23 of anoverall IR image 20 being projected into space. Only three pixels 23 areshown, out of an entire matrix that may contain hundreds of pixels 23,in order to simplify the illustration. The pixels 23 are illustratedshowing a typical size (noting that the image is not to scale). Bycomparing the pixels 23 and other pixels 25, the effect of “zooming” theprojector lens can 13 (FIG. 1) change the sizes of the “pixels”, fromthe size of the pixels 23, to the size of the pixels 25, by adjustingthe projector lens 13 to a longer “zoomed” focal length. Although FIG. 2is not to scale, the drawing illustrates typical differences in sizesbetween the pixels 23 and the pixels 25. This gives an operator of thelighting system a flexibility to select pixel sizes and locations, forexample by defining wider or narrower field of coverage than in previoustechnologies. Members of the audience are wearing receivers 21 thatdecode the IR data transmission of their particular pixel 23, 25. In anaspect of the present technology, each receiver 21 in the area of aparticular pixel 23, 25 may receive a unique data stream, specific tothat particular pixel location. Thus each audience member may receive aunique data stream defined by their unique location. Some of the pixellocations may have more than one audience member; alternatively a givenlocation may be empty. The sizes and shapes of the pixels 23, 25projected upon the stadium stands may be designed and determined bychoice of projector lens design and setting, and by the number andspacing of the LEDs 12 within the projector. The larger the number ofpixels 23, 25 in the matrix, the larger the coverage area can be for thesame pixel spacing. Alternatively or in addition, a large number ofpixels 23, 25 may provide a high resolution in the pixel distributionfor the same total area of coverage. In an embodiment, a traditionallens without “zoom” capability may be used, if the lens is properlyselected for the appropriate size, resolution and distance placement ofthe projector.

As the lens 13 is “zoomed” or adjusted in focal length, the image sizeand placement of the pixels 23 changes to reach the size and placementof the pixels 25. Evidently, the light emitted from the projector is IR,which is invisible to humans. Embodiments of the present technologyallow an operator or installer of the lighting system to preview theactual placement and size of the pixels.

In one embodiment shown on FIG. 1, the projector may be equipped with aneasily swapped PCB 11. The PCB 11 may be temporarily swapped with a PCBemitting visible light, for example red light. In the resultant imagebeing projected upon the audience, the pixels 23 and 25 are visible tothe operator or installer, who can then adjust settings of the projectorlens 13 and adjust the projector placement for a desired result andeffect. Since the pixels 23 and 25 may have empty spaces between them, amethod of obtaining coverage in these in-between areas is to slightlyde-focus the projector lens 13, resulting in the pixels 23, 25 formingblurred circles that overlap each other. By swapping a LED PCB 11 with avisible light LED PCB, or by enabling the visible light on a multi colorLED, the expected IR illumination may be previewed by the operator orinstaller. Although there may be a slight focus shift in lenses, betweenIR and red light, due to optical properties, these effects are usuallyless than 1% of the focal length. Optionally, the manufacturer of theprojector lens 13 may mark this slight focussing change on a focussingring of the projector lens 13. The operator or installer may configurethe lighting system with the red light in view of obtained the desiredeffects. Otherwise stated, the operator or installer may configure theprojector by using the visible red light, then install the PCB 11 withthe LEDs 12 that emit IR light, then adjusting the focus as specified bythe manufacturer of the projector lens 13. When a chromaticallycorrected true zoom lens is used, the effective focal length and otheradjustments are not affected by focusing shift between red and IR light.Consequently, the focusing distance is also unchanged when changing thefocal length of a chromatically corrected true zoom lens.

In another embodiment, multicolor LEDs 12, being for example adapted foremitting red and IR light, can be used on the PCB 11. The red color ofthe LED may be activated for previewing the image and, later, the IRimage may be activated when the lighting system is in actual operation.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which the projector lens 13 is moreor less directly centrally located in view of the PCB 11. Otherconfigurations may be contemplated. To this end, FIG. 3A shows a layoutof pin insertions on PCBs when LEDs with solder leads are used to orientlight beams emitted by the LEDs. FIG. 3B shows an expanded view of thePCB layout of FIG. 3A. On FIG. 3A, a PCB 31 is populated by a matrix 33of 2-pin LEDs 35, the center of the PCB 31 being indicated by a marker37. In a non-limiting embodiment, the matrix 33 is a rectangular matrix.It may be noted that this marker 37 may not actually appear on the PCB31, as it is used herein only to denote the center position on the PCB11 for illustration purposes. The matrix 33 of FIG. 3A is an 8×10 matrixfor illustration purposes. In a particular embodiment, the matrix 33 maybe much larger than this, being for example a 128 by 256 matrix. FIG. 3Atherefore only has a small number of individual LEDs 35, whereas in the128 by 256 example, 32,768 LEDs 35 would correspond to 32,768 individualpixels.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the LEDs 35 may be supplied in the form ofa lead packaging, for example T-1¾ packages 41 or a similar package. Inthat format, each LED 35 includes two pins (also called wire leads).FIG. 4 illustrates LED pins 42 being bent to angles to allow light beamsemitted by the LEDs 35 a projector lens 47. The T-1¾ LED packages 41have small lenses 43 at the top of the LEDs 35. The two pins 42 of the T1-¾ packages 41 may easily be bent in an axis 39 (FIG. 3B) of the PCB31, perpendicular to a pair of leads 36 (FIG. 3B). A PCB 49 is assembledwith the LED packages 41, which are raised up and not flush to the PCB49, in order that the pins 42 can be bent. Bending the pins 42 of theLED packages 41 towards the center of the projector lens 47 allows themaximum illumination of the projector lens 47, by any particular LED 35,as this places a central beam 45 of the LED 35 to fall upon the centerof the projector lens 47. It may be observed that the further thedistance of a given LED package 41 from a center line of the PCB 49, thegreater the bended angle of the pins 42, as seen by comparing thevarious row of LEDs packages 41 on FIG. 4. Since the LEDs packages 41are bent towards a center line, directly pointing towards the projectorlens 47, the contacts on the PCB 49 are configured to be at 90 degreesfrom the bending direction. FIG. 3A shows the PCB 31, with the matrix 33of LEDs 35, the contacts for the 2-pin LEDs 35.

LEDs packages 41 that are equidistant from the center 37 form a circlehaving a particular radius and their leads 36 are bent at substantiallyequal angles, with respective orientations allowing their central lightbeams 45 to reach the center of the projector lens 47.

Hence, by providing a bend or tilt of the pins 42, the center of the LEDbeam's emission is directed at the center of the projector lens 47,where the center of the LED beam is the maximum intensity of the beamspread. This provides the maximum transmission of LED illumination tothe target, for this embodiment of the PCB. LED beams have a fairlynarrow beam, down to +/−15 degrees (arrows 44) from center (arrow 45),+/−7.5 degrees (arrows 46) from center (arrow 45). However, as can beseen on FIG. 4, a significant portion of the light beams from the LEDs35 fail to reach projector lens 47. This leads to a significant loss oflighting efficiency. Also, installers of the lighting system may findcumbersome to bend the pins 42 of the T-1¾ LED packages.

In another embodiment, FIG. 5 shows a LED spread captured and directedto a lens. This embodiment uses surface mount LEDs 53, which are mountedon the surface of a PCB 51. The surface mount LEDs 53 have a wider beamspread 55 when compared to the LEDs packages 41. The surface mount LEDpackages cannot be “bent” towards a projector lens 59, as were the T-1 ¾packaging of FIG. 4. Therefore, an optical plastic or glass coverforming an optical sheet 54 is provided in order to efficiently capturemost of the light energy radiated by each surface mounted LED 53. In anembodiment of the present technology, an optical Fresnel lens and prismcombination 56 includes a positive focus (+diopters) lens and a prism,to both focus and redirect the light radiation 57 towards the projectorlens 59. It may be noted that each one of the surface mount LEDs 53 mayhave a corresponding area of the plastic/glass capture sheet so thateach surface mounted LED 53 may have a corresponding capture area in theFresnel lens and prism combinations 56. Each of the Fresnel lens andprism combinations 56 may have specific optical properties due to thespecific distance and angle of each surface mount LED 53 relative to theprojector lens 59. In a non-limiting embodiment, the Fresnel lens andprism combinations 56 may be constructed in the form of a sheet, forexample a plastic sheet or a sheet made of a similar optical material,using an automated process similar to processes used in lens craftingfor eyeglasses.

Alternatively, the Fresnel lens and prism combinations 56 may beconstructed using numeric controlled machining or 3D printing.

FIG. 6 shows how optical lenses concentrate light from LEDs toward aprojector lens. FIG. 6 illustrates optical properties of individualshaped optical lenses 66, which altogether form an optical sheet 62. Theoptical sheet 62 may for example be constructed as a lens board made ofplastic. Surface mounted LEDs 64, mounted on a PCB 61, radiate theirenergy in a cone shaped light radiation pattern 65, toward the shapedoptical lenses 66, shown on FIG. 6 and, similarly, on FIG. 5. Theoptical properties of the shaped optical lenses 66 allow to focus asmuch as possible of the light radiation pattern 65 onto the projectorlens 68, as shown with arrows 67 on FIG. 6. It may be noted that thereis a spacing between the PCB 61, and the optical sheet 62. This spacingallows adjusting the proper focussing distance for the shaped opticallenses 66 while also providing an air space for cooling the surfacemounted LEDs 64. Of course, since each surface mounted LED 64 is at adifferent distance and angle from the projector lens 68, each of theshaped optical lenses 66, may be designed to provide a unique focusingdistance and a corresponding prism orientation to provide the correctbending angle of the light.

FIG. 7 illustrates various angles and distances for each of a pluralityof LEDs. As can be seen on FIG. 7, the LEDs 74 on the PCB 72 radiatetheir light beams directly forward, i.e. perpendicularly from the PCB72. A lens is provided in front of each LED 74 in order to focus theirlight beams into a spot converging on a projector lens 78. A resultingangle of deflection 71 may be different for each location, the anglebeing also rotated at a different horizontal and vertical axes relativeto the PCB 72. Three parameters are thus accommodated for each LED 74,including a distance from the projector lens 78, a deflection angle 71,and a rotation of the deflection angle. The LEDs 74 that are closer tocorners of the PCB 72 at larger deflection angles than those closer tothe center of the PCB 72. The LEDs 74 with the larger deflection anglesare also at longer distances to the projector lens 78. In an embodiment,the lenses mounted on the most distant LEDs 74 may have a longerfocussing distance to bring the light beams 76 of those LEDs 74 intofocus at the projector lens 78. Since the distance and angle ofdeflection 71 from the projector lens 78 may differ for each LED 74,each lens may have a different magnification power and a differentdeflection angle. Depending on the position of a given LED 74, the angleof deflection may be in both axes of the PCB 72, so that the light beamfrom a LED 74 positioned in a corner of the PCB 72 may be deflected bothvertically (up/down) as well as horizontally (left/right) at the sametime. For example, the orientation of the deflection may be rotated by45 degrees when a LED 74 is positioned on a corner of a square PCB.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show how the lens/prism combination of FIG. 7 may besimplified for ease of manufacturing. The combinations shown on FIGS. 8Aand 8B show how deflection and focusing may be accomplished usingFresnel lenses and a prism.

Considering FIG. 8A, radiation from a LED 81 should ideally be capturedby a lens/prism combination 84 that, without any deflection, would cometo focus at a projector lens located in an ideal position 82 directly inline with the LED 81. When “in focus”, an image of the illuminatedjunction of the LED 81 is projected onto the surface of the projectorlens located in the ideal position 82. This captures the maximum amountof light from the LED 81 and delivers it to the projector lens locatedin the ideal position 82. However, an angle of deflection is usuallyimplemented because the LED 81 may not directly be in line with a realposition 83 of the projector lens. In fact, in a 2D array of LEDs 81, atmost one centrally positioned LED 81 could occupy this central sweetspot in front of the ideal position 82 of the projector lens. Inpractice, for an even number of rows or columns in the 2D matrix, no LED81 might be located in that sweet spot. Therefore, a prism 89 isincluded in the lens/prism combination 84. This prism 89 deflects thelight beam from the LED 81, in this case downwards, towards the realposition 83 of the projector lens, which is in an offset locationrelative to the ideal position 82 of the projector lens. The light beamis now travelling the hypotenuse of a triangle formed by the prism 89and the ideal and real positions of the projector lens. A distance fromthe lens/prism combination 84 to the real position 83 of the projectorlens is longer than a distance than from the lens/prism combination 84to the ideal position 82 of the projector lens. Consequently, thelens/prism combination 84 may be designed to have this longer focussingdistance.

It may be noted that the LED 81 may transmit data in the form of pixelcarrying a digital data stream within a pixel. The light beam from theLED 81 may actually be an IR light beam that does not carry an imagepixel. Therefore, any astigmatic or other optical distortions or loss ofresolution that might be caused by the lens/prism combination 84 wouldhave no consequence.

The lens and prism may be combined in a single piece in order tofacilitate their installation. On FIG. 8B, the lens/prism combination 84of FIG. 8A has been optically modified into an equivalent lens/prismcombination 85. On FIG. 8B, a front surface of the lens/prismcombination 85 may be formed to be twice as strong as each single sideof the lens/prism combination 84 of FIG. 8A, to compensate for the flatside (flat having zero optical strength) of the lens in the lens/prismcombination 85. Also, the prism 89 of the lens/prism combination 84 hasbeen replaced by the prism in the lens/prism combination 85, which has asteeper angle on the rear of the prism, to compensate for the firstsurface angle on the prism of the lens/prism combination 84. In anembodiment, the lens/prism combination 85 may thus have the same basicresultant strength as the design of the lens/prism combination 84.

The lens prism/combination 85 may introduce some added distortion to thelight beam, due to its more radical optical angles. Regardless, aspreviously stated, these distortions do not affect the transmission ofthe digital data stream. It may also be noted that the change from thelens/prism combination 84 into the lens prism combination 85 can be madeless radical in shape by using a plastic of higher refractive index(values of over 1.8 are available, whereas normal glass is around 1.3).An optical plastic sheet with the individual lens/prism combination 85may be used, where each LED 81 may have its own specified lens power,prism power, and prism orientation built into the sheet.

In an embodiment where the LED 81 spacing is close, each lens/prismcombination 85 may be made using a reasonably thin optical plastic. Withhigh refractive index plastic, the optical plastic sheet may be producedusing standard numerically controlled (NC) machining.

In another embodiment where the spacing between the LEDs 81 of the 2Dmatrix is larger, a larger diameter of lens/prism 85 may be used. AFresnel lens 86 and a Fresnel prism 87 may be implemented, at the frontand back surfaces of an optical plate 88 respectively, to form theequivalent of a Fresnel lens/prism combination. This Fresnel lens/prismcombination may be made part of the optical sheet 62 (FIG. 6) and of theoptical sheet 54 (FIG. 5). By using the Fresnel technology, a largerdiameter lens/prism may be made while keeping the optical sheetreasonably thin. The angle of the Fresnel prism 87 may rotated at anyangle towards the center of a projector lens. The focussing strength ofthe Fresnel Lens 86 may be designed to compensate for the calculateddistance from the LED 81 to the real position 83 of the projector lens(FIG. 8A).

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate two different patterns of a pulsed IR imageprojected onto an audience of people wearing reactive circuits accordingto another embodiment. FIG. 9A shows a pattern projected upon theaudience in the embodiment described on FIG. 2, which shows the pixels23 and 25. Projected pixels 91, eight of which are shown with typicalsizes for illustration purposes, have spaces 92 between them. The IRsignal is weaker in the spaces 92 than within the main beam or center ofthe pixels 91. The IR signal quality depends on the light scatteringwithin the lighting system. De-focusing of the projector lens may havepurposely created a blurred image, allowing at least some IR signalreception in the spaces 92. Poor reception in the spaces 92 is notsharply defined. When moving from the coverage of one pixel 91 toanother, reception transition is gradual and not sharply defined. Aseach pixel 91 may carry a different digital data stream, a noisy andambiguous signal may be detected in the spaces 92.

FIG. 9B shows pixels 94 that are formed according to an ideal pixelpattern. The rectangular shapes fit together from one pixel to the nextwithout noise, scatter, or other poor signal problems. There are no weakreception areas between the pixels 94, and the rectangular shapes fittogether tightly between any two adjacent pixels 94. It is contemplatedthat pixels having triangular, square or hexagonal shapes may also beproduced, as it is possible to configure such pixels so that they fittogether with no overlap and without leaving any gap therebetween. Theexamples presented herein, which show rectangular pixels, are forillustration purposes and should not be construed as limiting thegenerality of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a technique for projection of rectangular pixels.FIG. 10 shows a focussing plane 1012 of a rectangular 2D matrix pattern1008 being projected upon the audience. The rectangular 2D matrixpattern 1008 is an embodiment of the ideal pattern of the pixels 94 ofFIG. 9B. To produce a sharp, well defined image at the level of theaudience, the rectangular pattern created at the focussing plane 1012 ofa projector lens 1010 is made by adjusting the projector lens 1010 tofocus the focussing plane 1012 onto a plane of the rectangular 2D matrixpattern 1008. By creating such a pattern, a typical pixel 1003,rectangular in shape, is projected as a rectangular pixel 1005 at thelevel of the audience, thus achieving the desired projection pattern ofthe pixels 94 of FIG. 9B. It may be noted that there is no space betweenthe projected pixels, as the rectangular pixels touch each other flatside to flat side. As a result, there is no area of poor signalreception between the pixels. When a member of the audience moves from afirst pixel to a second, adjacent pixel, there is a sharp transitionbetween the digital data stream received in the first pixel and thedigital data stream received in the second pixel, with no or verylimited ambiguity between the received data streams.

FIG. 11 illustrates a pixel shaper assembly. FIG. 12 describes operationdetails of the pixel shaper assembly of FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows themethod used to shape the rectangular pixels. A pixel shaper assembly1101, which may for example be formed of a metallic structure, is placedabove the LEDs of a transmitting LED PCB 1105. The pixel shaper assembly1101 shapes the light from each pixel into a rectangular shape. Anexpanded view of one element of the pixel shaper assembly 1101, is shownon FIG. 12. It may be noted that there is a corresponding shaper piece1107 dedicated to each individual LED on the PCB 1105, being placed in acentral relation thereto. FIG. 11 shows that the pixel shaper assembly1101 may be made of metallic parts that “point” towards a projector lens1109. Since the front opening of the pixel shaper assembly 1001 ispurposely flat and rectangular, it forms the desired rectangular pixelshape and becomes the plane of focus 1114 to be projected toward theaudience. The projector lens 1109 is focused to produce a sharprectangular image, at a focussing distance 1112, upon the audience, asper the pixels 94 of FIG. 9B.

In alternative embodiments, each individual shaper piece 1107 may have atriangular, square, or hexagonal shape, the pixel shaper assembly 1101being used to shape the light from each pixel into a correspondingshape.

FIG. 12 details the illumination of one shaper element 1203 of the pixelshaper assembly, which is adapted to shape a single pixel. Each LED 1201on a PCB has its own corresponding shaper element 1203, which may have arectangular shape in a non-limiting embodiment. Because the shaperelement 1203 is oriented towards a projector lens 1211, and because theshaper element 1203 is rectangular, it forms the desired shape of theprojected rectangular pixel, as in the case of the pixels 1003 and 1005shown on FIG. 10. The rectangle may be viewed by the projector lens 1211as being “filled” with light in order for each projected pixel to befilled with data coverage, the entirety of the projected image alsobeing filled with data coverage. The inside of the shaper element 1203is fully illuminated with light, as seen from any angle in the directiontowards the projector lens 1211, in order to fill the rectangular pixelwith light. The shaper element 1203 may be located anywhere on the 2Dmatrix of LEDs and may therefore be at various angles from the centerline, as expressed in the description of FIG. 4. On FIG. 12, the spreadof the light beam from the LED 1201 is shown entering a shaper cage ofthe shaper element 1203 through a cut-out in a reflector plate 1202. Apart of the light beam that is most perpendicular to the LED 1201, shownas a direct light ray 1207, finds its way directly to the projector lens1211. However, significant parts of the light beam are radiated atvarious angles. Hence, some light rays 1206 impinge on internal sides ofthe shaper cage. Internal walls 1205 of the shaper cage are coated witha textured reflective surface, for example a textured metallic surface,that reflects but also spreads most of the light of the light rays 1206.Alternatively, the entire shaper cage may be made of a reflectivemetallic material. The front surface of the reflector plate 1202, otherthan the above-mentioned cut-out, is also coated with the reflectivesurface. Thus, the light rays 1206 bounce around within the shaper cageuntil resulting rays 1208 find their way out of the front exit of theshaper element 1203 and reach the projector lens 1211. Since the insideof the walls 1205 of the shaper element 1203 and the front of thereflector plate 1202 have reflective textured surfaces, the projectorlens 1211 sees the inside of the shaper element 1203 as being fullyilluminated. It may be noted that the bouncing of the light within theshaper element 1203 has no significant impact on the digital datastream: for example, the length of the shaper element 1203 may be about2 centimeters, so 10 reflections would only cause a delay of 20 cm, orless than 0.7 nanoseconds at the speed of light.

From the point of view of the projector lens 1211, the inside surfacesof the shaper element 1203 are fully illuminated by the LED emissionsand are fully visible. Thus, the projected image, including the pixels94 (FIG. 9B) and the rectangular pixels 1005 (FIG. 10), is fullyilluminated by the IR light. Because the focus of the projector lens1109 (FIG. 11) is set to the front edge of the pixel shaper assembly1101 that forms the plane of focus 1114, sharp rectangular pixels areprojected.

Some portion of the light emitted by the shaper elements 1203 may notreach the projector lens 1211. Misdirected light rays 1213 are at asharper angle and will not reach the projector lens 1211. The light rays1213 may be absorbed by shades 1209 and 1210, or hoods, made of lightabsorbing material positive around the pixel shaper assembly 1101. As aresult, the misdirected light rays 1213 are prevented from bouncingaround the inside of the projector housing and are prevented fromcausing optical “flare or “noise” in the desired signal, which mightotherwise lower the signal to noise (S/N) ratio of the digital datastream.

The efficiency of the pixel shaper assembly 1101 described in relationto FIGS. 11 and 12 may be improved by the use of a “faster” i.e. lowerf/stop projector lens.

FIG. 13 illustrates a light absorbing hood 1307 positioned between a PCB1312 and a projector lens 1304. On FIG. 13, a reflector plate 1308 and apixel shaper assembly 1301 are slightly separated from the PCB 1312.This leaves an air gap 1305, for the cooling of LEDs 1303 and othercomponents mounted on the PCB 1312. A plane of focus 1311, in front ofthe pixel shaper assembly 1301, is at a focussing distance 1315 from theprojector lens 1304. Cut-outs (not shown) on the reflector plate 1308 aswell as the separation distance of the air gap 1305, are all calculatedand shaped to allow nearly all the light to enter the shaper element1203 (FIG. 12) and the pixel shaper assembly 1301. That is, the beamspread of each LED 1303 is used to determine the size of the cut-out inthe reflector plate 1308, for the required air gap 1305, as per the LEDmanufacturer's specifications regarding the beam spread.

The projector lens 1304 “sees” the inside edges of shaper elements inthe pixel shaper assembly 1301, so the projected rectangle is filled tothe edges with light radiation. Thus, no significant portion of theprojected rectangular pixels is left without coverage. It may be notedthat the projector lens 1304 may be focussed at the front edge of thepixel shaper assembly 1301, in order to project rectangular pixels withsubstantially complete and non-overlapping coverage upon the receiversin the audience.

FIG. 14 illustrates a simple Fresnel lens. FIG. 14 shows a simple methodto increase the LED illumination at the projector lens without having tobend the leads of T-1¾ LEDs. The same technique may also be used alongwith surface mounted LEDs. A large Fresnel lens 1413, which may be madeof plastic, is placed in front of LEDs 1401 mounted on a PCB 1415. Thefocal length of the Fresnel lens 1413 is chosen to be equal to thedistance from this Fresnel lens 1413 to a first surface of a projectorlens 1411. Some light beams 1403 that are coming straight out from theLEDs 1401 are focused by the Fresnel lens 1413 onto the lens surface ofthe projector lens 1411. Other light beams that deviate at small anglesfrom this perpendicularity, are redirected by the Fresnel lens 1413 andalso reach the projector lens 1411, depending on its diameter. Stillother light beams 1405 further out from the center miss the projectorlens 1411 and do not contribute to the transmitting digital datastreams. The light beams 1405 are lost and may be absorbed by a shadesimilar to the light absorbing hood 1307 (FIG. 13). The embodiment ofFIG. 14 may for example be used where a simple low-cost method ofimproving performance is desired, when using surface mounted LEDs orwhen it is desired not to bend the leads of T-1¾ LEDs.

FIG. 15 shows a packaging for a typical receiver for the lightingsystem. A receiver 1501 is packaged for wearing on the wrist of a memberof the audience. Other embodiments may include, without limitation,packages adapted to be worn as necklaces, clip-on items, hats, and thelike. FIG. 15 shows how the receiver 1501 may be controlled using one ormore switches, for example an ON/OFF switch 1519 and a functionselection switch 1521. An optical receiver 1505 receives the pixel 1005(FIG. 10) defining a data “channel” for its location in the rectangular2D matrix pattern 1008. Each rectangular pixel of the 2D Matrix iseffectively a distinct communication download channel specifically forthe display location of the pixel. The clearly marked rectangularboundaries of the rectangular 2D matrix pattern 1008 of FIG. 10, and ofthe pixels 94 of FIG. 9B, allow the pixels or channels to be separatedand isolated from the adjacent and other pixels or channels. Thus, thereis effectively the same number of distinct channels as there are pixels.For a 128×256-pixel matrix, 32768 distinct channels are thus defined.The actual pixel or channel which is received depends on the physicallocation of the receiver 1501 within the pixel matrix. In the example ofFIG. 10, the channel being communicated is the rectangular pixel 1005within the rectangular 2D matrix pattern 1008. All other rectangleswithin the rectangular 2D matrix pattern 1008 have their own uniquecommunication channels, because the LEDs 12 (FIG. 1) that create thedigital data streams of the rectangular 2D matrix pattern 1008 are allindividually controlled and encoded. The data streamed in the IR digitaldata signal from the projector lens 1010, may consist of any kind ofdata. For example, color and intensity data for a LED display 1503, orsound, outputted onto a speaker 1511 or onto an earphone jack 1513, thespeaker 1511 and the earphone jack 1513 being operatively connected tovolume controls 1515. Also, since each channel or pixel of the pixelmatrix is separate and unique, the data could include the actualposition of the data. For example, on FIG. 10, a receiver 1501 withinthe rectangular pixel 1005 would receive “002,002”, meaning that theuser is in the second row, second column of the 2D matrix pattern 1008.Other messages and data may be sent simultaneously, allowing a largevariety of video games which would take advantage of this feature. Thisis especially true since the receiver 1501 may be provided with bothWiFi capabilities 1507 and Bluetooth capabilities 1509. The digital datastream being received over an optical signal, it may have extremely highdata rates.

The present technology provides the speaker 1511 with an immenselycomplex surround sound capability. While, for example, Dolby 6 defines 6channels, a 128×256-pixel matrix may support 32768 channels; largermatrices may actually be defined. An entire symphonic orchestra may bereproduced, instrument by instrument, using this surround sound feature.

There is no limitation to the forms of sound and light effects that maybe carried out. Moving from one pixel area to another means the wearerof the receiver 1501 may automatically start receiving the data for thenewly occupied pixel. Since each receiver 1501 is aware of its locationwithin the pixel matrix, all manners of games and video games, such asextensive laser tag type games, may be created using this feature.

The receiver 1501 may log in real time its movements within the pixelmatrix in an internal memory. Other uses of the present technology maybe contemplated, for example by covering the floor of a trade show witha pixel matrix to allow visitors to be tracked, data mine theirinterests, and provide audio information to the visitors as they movefrom one exhibit to another. The WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities of thereceiver 1501 may enable all manners of applications, for examplelocalized interactions for visitors in an exhibit hall.

FIG. 16 shows a simplified block diagram of the receiver of FIG. 15according to an embodiment. A device 1601 that combines a centralprocessing unit (CPU) and a memory device is central to the operation ofthe receiver 150, and controls the other functions of the embodiment,except for a power on/off circuitry 1623, which is manually accessed bythe user via the ON/OFF switch 1519. The device 1601 is operativelyconnected, directly or indirectly, to tricolor LEDs 1609, to a WiFireceiver 1603, to a Bluetooth receiver 1605, to LED drivers 1607, to aspeaker and/or an earphone 1613, to sound drivers with digital to analog(D/A) conversion 1611, to one or more optical receiver element 1615, toan optical signal amplifier 1617, to an analog to digital (A/D)converter 1619, to other electronic devices 1625, to a battery and/orother power source 1621, to volume switches 1629, to an input/output(I/O) interface 1627, and to other function switches 1631. Variousembodiments of the receiver may comprise all or various subsets of thislist of components.

FIGS. 17A and 17B show two variants of a reflector plate design for apixel shaper. FIGS. 17A and 17B shows the detail of two methods ofproviding reflection from the back of a shaper unit. On FIG. 17A, areflector plate 1703 (only a small section is shown on FIG. 17A), whichhas a non-reflective back 1711, is the reflector plate 1202 (FIG. 12). ALED 1709 is mounted on a PCB 1701 (only a small section of the PCB 1701is shown on FIG. 17A). A cut-out 1705 in the reflector plate 1703 islarger than a radiation surface of the LED 1709 in order to allow mostof the light 1713 emitted by the LED 1709 to pass through unobstructedand to spread at a fairly wide angle. Light reflecting backwards fromthe textured walls 1205 of the shaper element 1203 (FIG. 12), wouldreflect once more off reflective areas 1707 of the reflector plate 1703,and be sent forwards towards the projector lens (not shown on FIG. 17A).The shown section of the reflector plate 1703 is for the radiationsurface of one LED 1709. For the entire matrix of LEDs 1709, there is alarge reflector plate 1703 with dedicated cut-outs 1705 for eachcorresponding LED 1709. FIG. 17B shows an alternative to the reflectorsheet of FIG. 17A. Textured reflective paint 1725 is applied to theareas of a PCB 1721 (only a small section is shown), around each LED1723. This has the effect of providing reflection at the back of theshaper assembly, without requiring a reflector plate. It should be notedthat this technique might cause some optical noise, as some of theenergy of the reflections off the paint could cross over to the adjacentshaper element 1203. The choice using the configuration of FIG. 17A or17B may depend upon the specification requirement for any specificapplication.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment using a pixel shaper assembly combined witha Fresnel lens. This embodiment combines some of the features of FIGS.13 and 14. The performance of a pixel shaper assembly 1801, which formssubstantially ideal rectangular pixel shapes, is improved by theaddition of a Fresnel lens 1819, which provides a brighter, morepowerful signal by the concentration of shaped beams that convergetowards a projector lens 1809. It may be noted that a focusing plane1811, at a focussing distance 1815 of the projector lens 1809, is movedto the front of the Fresnel lens 1819. The Fresnel lens 1819 ispositioned directly in front of the 2D pixel array and has the correctoptical power useful to concentrate the optical signal outputs of thepixel shaper assembly 1801, these optical signal outputs being directedtoward the projector lens 1809

As in the case of FIG. 13, FIG. 18 shows an air gap 1805 for cooling ofLEDS 1803 mounted on a PCB 1812 and a light absorbing hood 1807positioned between the PCB 1812 and the projector lens 1309. An optionalreflector plate 1808 may be mounted on the pixel shaper assembly 1801.

FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing operations of a method fortransmitting control instructions to a plurality of receivers 1501. OnFIG. 19, a sequence 2000 comprises a plurality of operations, some ofwhich may be performed in a different order, some of which may beoptional. At operation 2010 a plurality of light sources, for examplethe LEDs 1201 or 1303, are modulated to generate a plurality ofcorresponding light beams, each light source being modulated with acorresponding digital data stream for inducing corresponding controlinstructions in the corresponding light beam. Each of the plurality oflight beams is applied to a corresponding pixel shaper element (e.g.1203) of the pixel shaper assembly 1101 or 1301 at operation 2020 toproduce a plurality of light pixels (e.g. 94), each light pixel carryingthe control instructions of the corresponding light beam, each lightpixel having a perimeter defined by the corresponding pixel shaperelement 1203, the pixel shaper assembly combining the plurality of lightpixels into an image without significant overlap and without significantvoids between the light pixels. At operation 2030, the light pixels aredirected toward a projector lens (e.g. 1109, 1211), the projector lenstransmitting the plurality of light pixels toward the plurality ofreceivers 1501.

While the above-described implementations have been described and shownwith reference to particular operations performed in a particular order,it will be understood that at least some of these operations may becombined, sub-divided, or re-ordered without departing from theteachings of the present technology. At least some of the operations maybe executed in parallel or in series. Accordingly, the disclosed orderand grouping of the operations is not a limitation of the presenttechnology.

It should be expressly understood that not all technical effectsmentioned herein need to be enjoyed in each and every embodiment of thepresent technology.

Modifications and improvements to the above-described implementations ofthe present technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art.The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather thanlimiting. The scope of the present technology is therefore intended tobe limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination, comprising: at least one lens; andat least one prism; the at least one lens and the at least one prismbeing in an optical path of a corresponding at least one light source,the combination being configured to direct light radiating from the atleast one light source toward a projector lens.
 2. The combination ofclaim 1, wherein: the at least one light source comprises an array oflight sources; and the combination is configured to direct lightradiating from the array of light sources toward the projector lens. 3.The combination of claim 1, wherein the at least one lens is a Fresnellens and the at least one prism is a Fresnel prism.
 4. The combinationof claim 1, wherein the at least one lens has a positive focus.
 5. Thecombination of claim 1, wherein the combination shapes the lightradiating from the at least one light source as a cone-shaped lightradiation pattern directed toward the projector lens.
 6. The combinationof claim 1, wherein: the combination is positioned at a given distancefrom the at least one light source; and a focussing distance of the atleast one lens is determined at least in part according to the givendistance.
 7. The combination of claim 1, wherein an orientation of theat least one prism is determined at least in part to correct a bendingangle of the light radiating from the at least one light source.
 8. Thecombination of claim 1, wherein the at least one lens and the at leastone prism are formed as a single piece.
 9. The combination of claim 1,wherein the projector lens is selected from a fixed lens, a parfocallens and a varifocal lens.
 10. The combination of claim 1, wherein thelight radiating from the at least one light source forms an image pixel.11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the image pixel containsinfrared light carrying a digital data stream.
 12. The combination ofclaim 1, wherein: the at least one lens comprises a plurality of lenses;the at least one prism comprises a plurality of prisms; and thecombination comprises a plurality of pixel forming sub-combinations,each pixel forming sub-combination comprising one of the plurality oflenses and a corresponding one of the plurality of prisms, each pixelforming sub-combination being configured to direct light radiating froma corresponding set of one or more light sources toward the projectorlens.
 13. The combination of claim 12, wherein at least some of theplurality of pixel forming sub-combinations are formed into a singleoptical sheet.
 14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the singleoptical sheet is a plastic sheet.
 15. The combination of claim 13,wherein the plurality of lenses and the plurality of prisms are on asame side of the single optical sheet.
 16. The combination of claim 13,wherein the plurality of lenses is on a first side of the single opticalsheet and the plurality of prisms on is a second side of the singleoptical sheet, the second side being opposite from the first side. 17.The combination of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of pixelforming sub-combinations has specific optical properties determined atleast in part according to a specific distance and a specific anglebetween the corresponding set of one or more light sources and theprojector lens.
 18. The combination of claim 17, wherein a focussingdistance of a given pixel forming sub-combination is determined at leastin part according to a distance between the given pixel formingsub-combination and the corresponding set of one or more light sources.19. The combination of claim 17, wherein: the sets of one or more lightsources corresponding to the plurality of pixel forming sub-combinationsare distributed over a first two-dimensional area on a mounting support;the plurality of pixel forming sub-combinations is distributed over asecond two-dimensional area of the combination; and the specific opticalproperties of a given pixel forming sub-combination are determined atleast in part according to a distance, an angle and an angle of rotationbetween the given pixel forming sub-combination and the correspondingset of one or more light sources.
 20. The combination of claim 19,wherein a first angle of deflection of a first pixel formingsub-combination located on an external edge of the second-twodimensional area is greater than a second angle of deflection of asecond pixel forming sub-combination located closer to a center of thesecond two-dimensional area of the combination.
 21. The combination ofclaim 12, wherein the plurality of sub-combinations is distributed overa two-dimensional (2D) array.
 22. The combination of claim 21, whereinthe 2D array forms a rectangular matrix.
 23. The combination of claim12, wherein the light radiating from each corresponding set of one ormore light sources forms an image pixel.
 24. The combination of claim23, wherein each image pixel contains infrared light carrying acorresponding digital data stream.